Struggling with pain during post -op recovery

[Heron82]

Good morning all you lovely people, reaching out as in need of some supportive and wise advice. I am 4 weeks post complex foot surgery and am hobbling around on a knee scooter and zimmer frame as unable to put more than 25% body weight on foot. Wearing an air boot that puts ones hips out of kilter. My foot and lower leg are swollen and my hands, shoulders, back and thighs are aching, especially my hands due to OA in the wrists. I was on 9 mg pred, upped to 9.5 mg then 10 yesterday. Should I go up to 15 mg for a week or so and then reduce back to 9.5mg and see if this resolves things? Or just suck it up and get on with it?

I ought to be doing some exercises and pilates stretches as am sat most of the day and only doing gentle stretches. However, I've not been given any physio advice other than rotating my foot. Going a bit stir crazy as used to being out and about walking with my dog and seeing friends. However, on a positive note I am a quarter of the way through recovery and should be back driving by February.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Does sound as if you are having a flare- so yes follow the usual advice…you can stay at higher dose for up to 14 days with impacting on drop back dow… and I’d go to back to 10mg….

But 4 weeks post op I would be a bit concerned about the swelling on lower leg/foot - have you been using ice to help… 20 minutes at a time… for as many times a day as you need…

.. a bit more gentle stretching and some Pilates might help, but don’t do anything that might cause you to lose balance…😉

[SnazzyD]

Sounds like a bit of a trial for you. What information have you been given regards activity, swelling and weight bearing ability timeline post op? When is your next follow-up?

Have you given that foot and leg a good bit of time being elevated since the op?

Rather than just treating it as a flare and hoping Pred will be the answer, I’d be making sure that all is as it should be too.

[Heron82 in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes, following the advice, all wounds healed and stitches out 2 weeks ago. Kept leg elevated for first 2 weeks, now sit with it elevated for ca. 75% of time during the day. Was told to expect lots of swelling as 2 plates fitted. Just want to run before I can walk or hobble more.

[SnazzyD in reply to Heron82]

A friend of mine who had complex foot and ankle surgery found her foot swelled for about a year after if she didn’t treat it right. Even now a few years later it can give her a bit of gyp if she is on her legs all day, wearing the wrong shoes or on a long flight.

Although the skin is healed the to-do list inside your foot is still a mile long.

[Heron82]

Thank you, for warning helps to manage my expectations. Been told a year before may be back to normal, what ever that new normal is. Just hope I can get back to finishing the coast path walk. Best wishes

[Heron82 in reply to Heron82]

Spirits now lifted after whizzing around John Lewis in Exeter on a super mobility scooter hired from Exemobilty. Only £7 for the day and free parking in the car park above. Such lovely people, one very kind volunteer came to my daughters. car to collect the scooter. The kindness of others brightens ones day. Thank you for yours. 🙏🤗🎈✨

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"I am a quarter of the way through recovery and should be back driving by February."

But it is likely that even though it is 1/4 the TIME , it is nowhere near 1/4 of the process! Once things have healed SLOWLY there will be a much faster advance towards the later stages. Ca canny at this stage.

[Heron82]

Of course I am just noting the time until I am able to drive again.

[Janstr]

When I broke my foot, I was in plaster for quite some time, & used a knee scooter as you are doing. When I finally migrated to a moon boot & could partially weight bear, like you many other parts (back , hips etc started aching). I resolved this by buying a pair of walking shoes with heals that were the same height from the floor, as the moon boot. It took visits to a few shops to find a suitable pair.

I know this isn’t what you asked, but hope it helps with the underlying issue

[Heron82 in reply to Janstr]

Thank you. I have one trainer with a sole that just about comes to the same height as the boot. I’ve been wearing this throughout. How are you doing now?

[Janstr in reply to Heron82]

Much better thanks; it did take some time & lots of physio